Think about the final fourth dimension you traveled. Afterward y'all arrived at your destination and checked in at your hotel, what did you do next? If you're like me, you lot probably thought about where you were going to eat. Just when yous're new to an area, how do you find a expert spot?

Rather than asking the hotel clerk — who'southward probably a local and has eaten at every identify nearby — most of united states of america take out our phones and do a quick Google search. Studies evidence that 82% of customers won't patronize a business until they've read the reviews. And, since Google is the preferred review site for 64% of consumers, that ways but 1 poor review could make up one's mind whether or not you choose to consume at a eating house.

Every company hopes to receive positive feedback, only the fact is that customers who accept poor experiences are more than likely to write an online review. Information technology'south your client service team's job to keep rails of Google reviews and remove the negative comments that are harmful to your concern.

In this postal service, we'll suspension down what a Google review looks like, how to delete them, and what to do if you can't.

Download Now: 20 Review Response Templates

To identify whether the review you're looking at is a Google review or not, look for the post-obit elements:

  • A hyperlink next to the star rating reads "Google reviews" or "# Reviews". This link volition accept you to individual reviews that users take written.
  • There are no other visitor names on the review.
  • A rating calibration numbered from 1 to 5. This won't always exist visible, but it can help you recognize a Google review if you see 1.

For instance, take a look at the Google review page for HubSpot. You lot'll notice each of the elements nosotros listed higher up. This review appears in Google Maps, then it's integrated into the Google interface which makes it more clear that it is a Google review.

how to find google reviews

Can you delete a Google review?

Unfortunately, Google doesn't offer a unproblematic "delete" option for its reviews. Instead, there are only 2 ways that a review tin be removed. The person who posted the review can delete it or your business can "flag the review as inappropriate." Flagging the review alerts Google that the review is imitation or that information technology doesn't comply with Google'south review policies.

Afterwards that, y'all'll exist guided to the landing page below where you'll need to consummate a brief study of the issue and submit your electronic mail for follow-up communication.

Epitome Source

It's important to note that Google has congenital-in spam checkers that automatically analyze a review for inappropriate, irrelevant, or misleading content. While this feature is pretty reliable, inaccurate reviews are sometimes disregarded which tin lead to negative perceptions of your business concern.

In this instance, y'all'll want to have matters into your own easily and report the review yourself. Here's how to do that.

ane. Open Google Maps and locate your business organization.

Find the review on the Google reviews page

2. Discover the review on the Google reviews folio.

3. Click the three vertical dots to the correct of the review.

select the option to report the google review

four. Select the pick Report Review.

5. Choose an option for the question "What's wrong with this review?".

choose the correct option for "what's wrong with this review?"

6. Report the review to Google.

report the google review thank you page

When to Flag a Google Review

According to Google, the topics beneath are against its user terms and conditions. Therefore, if you notice a review that falls under one of these categories, your squad can asking to remove that content.

Irrelevant Comments

Google wants to make certain its users are getting accurate information near your business organization. So, if you're seeing comments that don't pertain to your arrangement or a customer's feel, you should flag these reviews for Google to remove.

Illegal Content

Some businesses provide products or services that are illegal in certain locations. Google accounts for this by prohibiting users from posting reviews that incorporate links to websites or email addresses that sell illegal products. This besides includes images that promote products or special offers.

Inappropriate/Offensive/Explicit Content

Google volition remove any content that it views as "obscene, profane, or offensive." Information technology volition also remove reviews that are threatening or contain derogatory comments. If you come across any reviews like these, exist sure to flag them immediately to protect your brand's image.

Conflicts of Involvement

Google wants its reviews to be as unbiased as possible. Therefore, you can't post a review of a visitor that you own or work for. You besides can't post a review of your competitor, equally this would permit you to manipulate their rating in your favor.

Impersonation

Google values the accuracy of its reviews as well. It doesn't desire to misrepresent a business or provide deceptive content to its users. Because of this, all Google reviews must be published by the person writing the review. You tin't publish the review on someone'due south behalf or pretend to be someone else when submitting your review.

Disadvantages of Reporting a Google Review

Equally you tin can imagine, this process is ho-hum and doesn't guarantee that your review volition exist removed. And, even if Google does decide to remove it, there's no telling when it will actually be taken down. In that time, your business could lose thousands of customers if y'all wait for Google to handle the result.

The other major setback is that Google won't remove a review just because it's negative. The point of Google reviews is to provide users with unbiased feedback from other customers' experiences. If those experiences are poor, Google wants its users to exist aware of them. So, if y'all're upset with a customer's stance, the odds aren't in your favor for a removal.

Instead, your client service squad needs to take action if you lot want to remove a negative Google review.

Means to Handle Google Reviews

one. Respond to the customer'due south review.

The almost effective mode to handle a negative customer review is to respond to it. If your team fabricated a mistake that inspired a negative review, a genuine apology tin can go a long fashion in irresolute the perception a potential customer has of your brand. If it's a positive review, an appreciative response makes an impact, likewise. Call back, these reviews are public for the client every bit well as your concern, and customers don't want to look like the villain when your team responds underneath with a polite message.

2. Ask the customer to delete it.

The client may respond positively to your team'due south annotate merely choose to leave the review upward anyhow. They may think the affair is closed and that other users will run into the review as an example of your great customer service. While we appreciate the sentiment, you and I both know nosotros'd rather take the review removed and then other customers simply see the positive experiences at your company.

In these cases, reach out to the customer to run into if they will remove the review. If possible, message them on a private platform like e-mail, and so the client doesn't experience pressured by your asking. Thank them for reading your answer and ask them if they will consider the removal of the review in light of their recent experiences with your company. Exist sure to remain patient and don't make any demands on the client.

3. Solve the customer's trouble.

This one may seem obvious, just customers often leave negative reviews because their original need from your business was never fulfilled. For example, you may savour the customer service at a eating place but detest the food they serve y'all. Fifty-fifty though your beefiness — pun intended — isn't with the restaurant's staff, your review still gets counted all the same.

Information technology's important to recognize the problems that customers are reporting in your negative reviews and have activity to right them. Once you do, follow up with the customers who left poor reviews and see if they're willing to effort your product or service again. Make it clear that you lot have taken steps to right your past mistakes and you still value their human relationship with your concern. While you may non win every client over, this promotes a customer-axial culture for your brand's reputation.

four. Follow up with customers.

One common statistic that customer service experts like to point out is that 85% of customers believe reviews older than 3 months are irrelevant. However, this stat neglects that these older reviews all the same count towards your business concern'south overall rating on Google. That rating is extremely important because 52% of customers will non buy from a business concern if it has less than a 4-star rating.

Additionally, a lot tin change with your business as you grow and develop over time. A Google review that was posted ii years ago may not exist as accurate today. If the user is still active, try to contact them via the review and see if they would be willing to edit their post. Or, offering them an incentive to attempt your product or service again in exchange for an updated review.

five. Cosign the review.

Believe information technology or not, some people on the internet are mendacious. Information technology gets worse. Some people volition even write fake reviews to sabotage their competitors' business.

If y'all're dubious of a review's authenticity, expect for signs that would confirm information technology is a fake. Fake reviews often lack details and seem like they could utilize to well-nigh any business. Check to meet if the reviewer has left whatever other reviews and if they have a picture listed with their business relationship. Then respond to the review. If you don't get a response, flag the post as inappropriate and look for Google to review your report.

The Power of Google Reviews is in Your Easily

Waiting for Google to remove a review from its search engine can be fourth dimension-consuming and ho-hum. However, the steps listed above should help your customer service team quickly address negative Google reviews and improve your relationship with new and existing customers.

Editor's notation: This mail service was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Sep 21, 2021 ii:45:00 PM, updated November 12 2021